Roster Moves: DIII athletes jump to Big Ten

McKena Ramos has added his name to the University of Wisconsin track and cross-country rosters following a standout season at UW-Oshkosh. The Sheboygan native, now a senior, transferred to Madison after winning two national titles as a freshman. He joined two other Badger football players who made the same leap from Division III institutions. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver, arrived after a year at UW-Whitewater. Ryan Ramczyk, an offensive lineman, moved from UW-Stevens Point after an All-American season that improved his standing on NFL Draft boards.

Ramos’ decision stemmed from a private goal he set before the indoor national meet. He told track and cross-country coach Eamon McKenna that winning a freshman national championship would trigger a move to Division I. Ramos then won the indoor 800-meter title and the outdoor 1500-meter title. McKenna said the coaching staff viewed Ramos as good but under the radar, not expecting a freshman national win. "We knew he was good and we knew he was a little bit under the radar," McKenna said.

Ramos said the higher competition level at Madison has improved his times across the board. He noted that everyone in the pool is on his level or above. The program also offers resources that Oshkosh lacked, including athletic training facilities with ice baths. He credited tutoring at the Fetzer Center and the ability to take exams while traveling for his academic success. He said the running workouts are largely the same, but the support systems differ.

Not every athlete finds the Division I environment suitable. Emma Paulson swam for UW-Madison for one year before transferring to the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. She concluded that top-level college competition was not the right fit. "I realized that people are different and have different fits, it might work for them, but it wasn't the right fit for me," Paulson said. At St. Thomas, she finished her career with three individual national championships and nine individual All-American designations.

Paulson said her times matched Division I standards, but the culture aligned with Division III. She noted that Division I swimming can take over a student's life, while Division III remains a part of it. She is held to the same academic standards as non-athletes at St. Thomas and has no designated academic services. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and their facilities are generally smaller than those at Division I programs.

The trend extends across the Big Ten conference. Every school in the conference has at least one transfer from a Division III school on at least one roster. McKenna said athletes who stand out in Division III will have opportunities. He added that the key question is whether an athlete can replace whatever makes them dominant at their current school. Ramos said he would make the same choice again, noting that competing for Madison had been his dream since middle school.

Both athletes report satisfaction with their current choices. Ramos said he is absolutely happy with the move. Paulson said she is content with her return to Division III. The next step for Ramos is competing in the upcoming Big Ten championships, where he will face opponents from across the conference. Paulson is preparing for the next collegiate season at St. Thomas.